Hot Topics:

Most Commented

Giant steps needed by Rockies in home series against San Francisco

Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post

Posted:
05/16/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT

Updated:
05/16/2013 01:09:29 AM MDT

Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez can't catch the Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo's double in the first inning on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. More photos. (Brian Cassellam, Chicago Tribune)

CHICAGO — The difference is breathtaking. For the past two seasons, the Giants have been Xbox, the Rockies Atari. San Francisco is the reigning World Series champion. The Rockies are hosting "Love it or List it" with the National League West basement.

A quarter of the way through the season, Colorado ranks as one of baseball's pleasant surprises. But to be taken seriously this summer, the Rockies have to avoid embarrassing themselves against the Giants, who arrive Thursday for a four-game series at Coors Field.

San Francisco has done things to the Rockies the last two-plus seasons that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. The Rockies are 9-30 against the Giants during this stretch. They are 5-13 at home.

If the Rockies want to continue imposing themselves, they must compete against San Francisco, which broomed them at AT&T Park last month.

"That's fair. We need to play well against them, particularly after getting swept at their place," said Rockies manager Walt Weiss. "It's an important series for us."

Colorado begins a rugged jag in the schedule, facing the Giants seven times in 10 days. The reservoir of goodwill from the first six weeks could be siphoned if the Rockies don't fare well against their closet thing to a division rival. (There's underlying friction over the 2011 humidor episode that resulted in new protocols.)

"They play good. They have a good team. We have a good team too," said Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario. "We will go after them."

Given the Rockies' issues at McCovey Cove, that must start on Blake Street. Colorado, while much improved on the road this season, is only 4-17 at AT&T Park since 2011. Home is where the Rockies can carve out an identity. Any compromise at Coors Field will sabotage the season. The Rockies have dropped three consecutive series there.

"It's a little disappointing. When we don't hit on the road, I don't worry about it. But we know we need to hit at home," said Rockies hitting coach Dante Bichette. "We need to be a dominant team at home."

Lineup to lineup, the Giants should offer a favorable matchup. San Francisco is not spangled with stars beyond NL MVP Buster Posey. But there is a persistence to the Giants' offense.

"They put together a lot of team at-bats. It's a strength of their lineup. They don't expand the zone and they don't let the pitchers off the hook," Weiss said. "You have to earn every out against them."

That chore falls on Jhoulys Chacin on Thursday. He hasn't beaten the Giants at Coors Field in three years. San Francisco's pitching has been much better than nearly anyone, anywhere during this time. The Giants will trot out Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito, who is nothing short of Sandy Koufax against the Rockies.

Chacin understands the early-season significance of this outing.

"You have to play the right way to beat them. You have to do the little things well," Chacin said. "They know how to win."

The Rockies have adopted a refreshing stance this season, upgrading their roster with Nolan Arenado and Josh Outman in recent weeks. That's why Tyler Chatwood should start Saturday. Patience has reached an expiration date with Juan Nicasio, who needs a minor-league tuneup. Drew Pom- eranz is getting closer, but he's scheduled to start Thursday for the Triple-A Sky Sox.

Weiss, his competitive nature impossible to restrain, has talked about winning the division as a goal. It hasn't drawn eye rolls because of the Rockies' start. But progress will ultimately be measured by closing the gap on the Giants.